Red Dots.. I'm behind the curve...

[Rastus]

For the training I've done with an AR the "dot" sights are faster than irons.

At 15 yards and in the EOTech beats the Aimpoint dot.

At plus 25 yards, maybe 35 yards....the Aimpoint beats the EOTech for me.

Reason for my old eyes, the view through the EOTech is larger and quick.  However, at "distance" as dictated by how accurate a shot I have to make, when I really have to focus and aim on something more than a close center of mass or head shot then I get quicker and better hits with the Aimpoint.

Both fine sights.  For me, it depends on the application.  Certainly beyond 35 yards I prefer the Aimpoint.  However, you can still make accurate shots with the EOTech at distance but I need to dial down the light intensity and take more time to make the shot.  On the same range and barricade as shown on the Rapid Fire show at distance to pick either the Kris or Thompson I made those same shots pretty quick with an EOTech....would have been quicker with a Aimpoint....that, by the way, is a 75 yard distance shot on small poppers they made on the multi-level barricade with window.

[Paraguy]

I am not saying they are cheap, but the 3X for my Eotech makes shooting a pleasure.  Trying to see a .223 hole at anything beyond 15 yds is next to impossible.  I bought the Eotech and the 3X about a year apart, wish I had waited and bought the ACOG for the same price, but I am neither rich or pateint.

[Tyler Durden]

Why? If most self-defense situations are 3 shots fired in 3 seconds at 3 yards, you likely won't have time to use your sights.

That statistic, as far as I know, is based off of cop involved shootings... And as you know the police are actually supposed to go after bad guys, subdue them, then cuff em and stuff em.

I don't know how accurate that statistic is with respect to the encounters Joe Private Citizen has had.

[Solus]

Why? If most self-defense situations are 3 shots fired in 3 seconds at 3 yards, you likely won't have time to use your sights.

The real questing should be  "What is the greatest distance and greatest number of shots needed to end the conflict ...and how long did it take?"

If we plan our strategy for the average encounter, we then have an average chance of surviving.

[DonWorsham]

That statistic, as far as I know, is based off of cop involved shootings...
I don't know how accurate that statistic is with respect to the encounters Joe Private Citizen has had.

Actually it is Joe Private Citizens. It comes from Tom Givens (rangemaster.com), who has had 60 students involved in shootings in the past five years, says the average gunfight is “three shots in three seconds at three yards,” but also reports a few student incidents in which eight to twelve rounds were fired.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

MB posted this in his Blog for Oct 27 2012

" I got my Glock G19 slide back from L&M Precision Gunworks in Prescott with the Trij RMR installed. They do great work! Mike Seeklander and I talked a lot about red dot-sighted defensive pistols when we were together this week, Her's got an M&P with Trij sights done by David Bowie. and he agrees with Bill Rogers and Chris Edwards that the dots are probably the future of defensive pistols. i'm talking to Leupold next week about their DeltaPoint sights. They are a big sponsor — see, I always tell you! — and I'm interested in getting their sights on either another G19 or a Ruger SR9."

[DonWorsham]

MB posted this in his Blog for Oct 27 2012

" ... Mike Seeklander and I talked a lot about red dot-sighted defensive pistols ...,  and he agrees with Bill Rogers and Chris Edwards that the dots are probably the future of defensive pistols. ..."

Tom, it they are the future of defensive pistols I will believe it more when 8-10 people show up with red dot sights in the next shooting class I take (taken 5 in 2012). To be clear, I'm not saying don't put them on your carry gun. I just don't want one on my pocket guns (Glock 26 and S&W j-frame). I just don't think they are needed for self-defense.

[tombogan03884]

Don, I just saw MB's post and thought it was appropriate in this thread.
Myself, while I think they are a great tool for the box I have to note that I still don't particularly trust electronics on mechanical items.

[fightingquaker13]

If I were a cop carrying openly I'd think about one. But for a concealed piece I'd put my money on a laser or a nice set of tritiums, probably the latter. One of the cool things about being poor is I don't have to worry about stuff like that.

[Tyler Durden]

Actually it is Joe Private Citizens. It comes from Tom Givens (rangemaster.com), who has had 60 students involved in shootings in the past five years, says the average gunfight is “three shots in three seconds at three yards,” but also reports a few student incidents in which eight to twelve rounds were fired.

That's funny... Because a police academy instructor told me the rule of 3 to 5's back in the late 1990's.

3 to 5 seconds in duration

3 to 5 yards

3 to 5 shots fired

If I had the time, I'd like to track down all 60 news links for each shooting.